HUMANITARIAN AWARDS WINNERS 2014

The Humanitarian Award honors filmmakers who are bringing awareness to issues of Ecological, Political, Social Justice, Health and Wellness, Animals, Wildlife, Conservation and Spiritual importance. Congratulations to this year’s illustrious winners who are committed to making a difference in the world.

Davids and Goliath, Leon Lee (USA)An eye-opening, chilling documentary produced and directed by filmmaker Leon Lee over an eight year period of time. Powerful, life-changing and shockingly potent, Nobel Peace Prize nominees David Matas and David Kilgour investigate the horrific organ harvesting trade from living Falun Gong practitioners and uncover one of the world’s worst crimes against humanity. A profoundly impactful film leaves the viewer forever changed. From IndieFEST Film Awards. Read more about the film here: Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa – Abby Ginzberg (USA) – From executive producer Alfre Woodard comes a powerful documentary about a little known man who helped shape a nation. Set in dramatic events leading to the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa this film powerfully follows freedom fighter Albie Sachs with passion and powerful experiences of commitment, justice and forgiveness. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Alegria – A Humanitarian Expedition, Christoph von Toggenburg (Switzerland) – tells the story of an epic solo bicycle expedition across the Himalayas that changed the lives of hundreds of people in need. Supporting leprosy patients and mentally destitute women. Crossing Nepal during the Maoist unrests, conflict stricken Kashmir, Christoph encountered wonderful hospitality, found new friends and touched lives. From Best Shorts Competition

Backup Butembo, Elien Spillebeen (Belgium) – The story of some extremely strong women in Eastern Congo. The region has been disrupted by a bloody conflict for more than 15 years. In the town of Butembo, a positive resistance is steadily growing. The people try to regain control over their lives and destiny. When the violence in and around Butembo suddenly escalates the citizens take action, even when their own lives are at stake. From IndieFEST Film Awards

Backyard, Deia Schlosberg (USA) – “Backyard” is a documentary film about fracking and its effects on five people’s lives. Following stories in Pennsylvania, Colorado, North Dakota and Montana, an eerie similarity emerges amongst them, despite the vast differences in geography and personal histories. Animated interludes remind us to step back and consider the bigger picture. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Baja, Erick Higuera (Mexico) – “BAJA” was produced to share with the world the amazingly beautiful creatures that inhabit the waters around the Baja and to increase the awareness and importance of preserving the marine life that still exists, especially those most threatened. Stunning visuals guide this documentary. From Best Shorts Competition

Beauty and the Breast, Liliana Komorowska (Canada) – A compelling insight into a devastating reality of breast cancer, as seen through the eyes of several female patients helping demystify the disease while painting poignant and often humorous intimate portraits of survival. The film depicts the process of learning and accepting the terrifying verdict, and details the complexities of every stage of this disease. It is a testament to human resilience and blossoming in the face of adversity. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Chew on This: Dangers of the American Diet Exposed, Gary Null & Associates (USA) – The American Diet plays a major role in obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. As the health crisis reaches disastrous proportions, the harmful consequences of food choices extends beyond chronic disease. Today’s food has profound implications on the planet. Unsound agricultural practices, inhumane factory farming and genetic engineering are pushing us to the brink of environmental calamity. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Dingo: Wild Dog at War, Essential Media & Entertainment (Australia) – Dave Graham hunts for solutions to the dilemma surrounding Australia’s native canine the Dingo. Dingoes are responsible for livestock losses and farmers have retaliated with culling. It’s a battle for survival, and it’s escalating. New research shows the Dingo plays a pivotal role in protecting ecosystems. Sadly, the Dingo is on the brink of extinction. Stunning photography and passionate stakeholders, Dingo attempts to untangle one of the most complex and emotional debates in Australia. From Accolade Global Film Competition

First to Fall – Rachel Anderson (USA) – An intimate tale of friendship and revolution, this coming of age story documents the journey of two young friends, Hamid (26) and Tarek (21), who abandon their peaceful lives as students in Canada to join an unconventional war in their homeland of Libya. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Food Patriots, Jeff Spitz (USA) – This documentary film and public engagement campaign has a goal of getting everyone to improve their buying and eating habits by 10%. That’s 10% more fresh fruits and veggies, more organics, more locally grown – 10% from wherever you are on the continuum. As consumers demand better food we will pressure both policy and supply changes in our food system. From IndieFEST Film Awards

GAIA, Nick Graalman and Erin Fowler (Australia) – Beautiful and extremely creative cinematography and dance, Gaia tells a compelling story about Mother Earth’s struggle for survival in an increasingly degraded and urbanized planet. Using only music, dance and exceptional filmmaking this short film packs a big impact. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Garwin, W&B Productions & Trilok Fusion Media (USA) – A rich and controversial story of Richard Gerwin – the scientist who helped design the first hydrogen bomb, and has since spent much of his career working to make sure such weapons would never be needed. He has advised every president from Eisenhower to Obama. Follow Dr.Garwin on his quest to build a more peaceful, verdant and sustainable world. From global warming, nuclear proliferation and disarmament to the energy crisis, he is committed to finding solutions. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Generosity of Eye, Brad Hall (USA) – Julia Louis-Dreyfus narrates the story of a major art collection transforming into education for kids in the Harlem Children’s Zone. It is the very personal tale of discovering how her father William’s passions for art, justice and education collide in a single act of generosity that will leave a lasting legacy for kids in need for years to come. Entertaining, heartwarming and impactful. From IndieFEST Film Awards

I’ve Just Had a Dream, Javi Navarro (Spain) – A film short. Two girls. Two cultures. Two visions. The same dream. For one it is a blessing, for the other a nightmare. It is a graceful, subtle and beautifully executed gift of perspective and humanity for every viewer as it holds a mirror to our own perceptions about gratitude. From IndieFEST Film Awards

Know How, Paul Griffin (USA) – An uplifing story and musical written and acted by youth in foster care. A film about finding redemption in a broken system that creates terrible experiences, all told through the actual kids that have spent their life there. Moving and thought provoking the film gives hope. From IndieFEST Film Awards

Modern Nature, Craig Leon (USA) – By the year 2050, approximately 10 billion people will inhabit Earth. Filmed around the globe, this award-winning documentary brings the spectator on a worldwide odyssey where the viewer is challenged to find answers. Includes philosopher Noam Chomsky, street farmer Ron Finley and environmentalist Vandana Shiva. From Best Shorts Competition

Olla Rae, Suzanne Hargrove (USA) –Olla Rae is a heart-felt story of compassion and selflessness, community and love for our fellow man. Set in Alexandria, Louisiana, this movie revolves around 85 year old Olla Rae, the woman who has been helping to feed the community for over twenty years, and the volunteers who work alongside her. Inspiring and heart-warming. From Best Shorts Competition

Project: Shattered Silence, Colleen Hamilton (USA) – in-depth look at the remarkable real life stories of 46 courageous teenagers. Of struggle and survival, rejection and acceptance, and unwavering hope. Using humor and tragedy, they tackle topics of adoption, immigration, depression, sexual identity and death. An eye-opening film shows true healing begins when we speak about what make us unique. From IndieFEST Film Awards

Sins Invalid, Patty Berne (USA) – celebrates artists with disabilities and communities who have been historically marginalized. It explores the themes of sexuality, embodiment and the disabled body. A cutting-edge work where normative paradigms of “normal” and “sexy” are challenged and challenges the viewer to examine their own paradigms about these communities. From IndieFEST Film Awards

State of Incarceration, 90th Parallel Productions (Canada) – a searing, thought-provoking look at a highly contentious issue as Canada’s criminal justice system undergoes a major refit that may not be either effective or affordable, and might even be taking a major step backward. Exceptionally well researched, laid out and compelling. From IndieFEST Film Awards

Sustaining Life, Robert Hess (USA) – A riveting look into the lives of the leading scientists, researchers and humanitarians working to transform the lives of the poor. Stunning animation and visuals showcase the landmark United Nations research study, the Millennium Project, to diagnose and address why 1/6th of our population lives on less than one dollar per day. Seen in the Millennium Villages – an ingenious concept that proves poverty can be overcome. It exposes the problem, provides the solution and lets everyone know how we can help. From IndieFEST Film Awards

The Aryans, Hanfgarn & Ufer Film & TV Produktion & MA Motion Filmproduction (Germany) – Filmmaker Mo Asumang sets out for a tour de force into the abyss of the political evil in Germany and the US. She travels to places where the real Aryans originally came from an area which is now part of Iran. THE ARYANS is a personal journey into the madness of racism during which she meets German neo-Nazis, the US leading racist, the notorious Tom Metzger and Ku Klux Klan members in the alarming twilight of the Midwest. From IndieFEST Film Awards

The Lenape of the Wapahani River, Ball State University (USA) – The Lenape on the Wapahani River brings to life the overlooked story of the Lenape Native Americans during their time in east central Indiana from the 1790s through 1821. The story tells of the Lenape people and their impact on east central Indiana Originally from the coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware, the Lenape moved westward as settlers expanded across the eastern seaboard. By the end of the American Revolutionary War, they lived along the White River in what is now Indiana. From Accolade Global Film Competition

The Other Dreamers, Roy Zafrani (Israel) – The Other Dreamers is a short documentary about a group of disabled children. For a year, the film follows four disabled children who start a journey, on the way to fulfill their dreams. They won’t let their disabilities interrupt them, even if they are the only ones who believe that it’s possible. A true lesson of inspiration for viewers everywhere. From Best Shorts Competition

The Vow, Cameron Zohoori (USA), A documentary on the journey of Riqie Wainaina, a young Kenyan immigrant, as he attempts to move from a dark history of crime and loss to a position of leadership and in his adopted community of Lowell, Massachusetts. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Unter Menschen,DENKmal-Film (Germany) – In Austria is a place that where moral challenges of our civilization collide: guilt, responsibility and redemption. In an old safari park, sealed off from the world live forty chimpanzees formerly used in pharmaceutical experiments and infected with HIV and hepatitis. Traumatized and aggressive they hate humans and have every reason to. They live with four caretakers, two were their jailers at the lab. Today they manage the unique rehabilitation project, to get them out of their lifelong isolation. ‘The chimpanzees show us what it means to be human’ Jane Goodall. From Accolade Global Film Competition

Wind Power – A New Course for Heligoland, Christian Jaburg – DW Duetsche Welle (Germany) – Three huge wind farms are being set up off the island of Heligoland — to become the world’s “first offshore service island” and serve as a base for people involved in the construction and maintenance. Many residents say the money would be better invested in promoting tourism, their main source of income. This series looks at the controversial changes taking place on the picturesque island and the implications on the human population. From Best Shorts Competition